Jim%20Berdysz Archive

The House is a Rockin'. Opposing teams at Progressive Field; don't bother knockin'. For the second straight night, the Indians relied on solid starting pitching and timely hitting to string together another big win in their house Tuesday. Deadlocked in a 3-3 tie against Boston in the seventh, Michael Bourn delievered on what eventually became the game's deciding hit. Join IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps another victory from the ballpark.

It's no secret Justin Masterson has struggled. Coming into the game Monday 0-3 with a 8.84 in his last four starts, the Indians ace may have finally turned a corner. Striking out 10 over seven shutout innings, Masterson led the Tribe to a 3-2 victory over the Red Sox in what was his best start of the season. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps another win from the ballpark.

In this week's installment of Inside the Wigwam, IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim "Birdman" Berdysz, answers the question of whether or not Corey Kluber has solidified himself as the Indians ace. He also gives the latest news and notes surrounding the ballclub, tracking Cleveland's top players over a great month of May. And gives his final call on what the rotation may look like without Justin Masterson next year.

Who said the Indians don't have an ace? Corey Kluber is not your prototypical front of the line starter, but he sure keeps pitching like one. Friday night at Progressive Field was no different, as the right-hander led the Tribe past the Colorado Rockies, 5-2, snapping the team's four-game losing streak. Join IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the victory from the ballpark.

They never flinched. "I don't even know where to start with that game," Tribe outfielder David Murphy said. "I don't know if that was a baseball game or a marathon combined with a circus." Scoring 11 runs on 17 hits, the Indians edged Detroit, 11-10, winning with game a walk-off balk in the bottom of the 13th inning. Join IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps a wild win from the ballpark.

The odds of winning the lottery? One in 175 million. The odds of the last place Indians beating Justin Verlander and his $180 million contract Tuesday night? Apparently not as high as many thought. Backed by a total team effort on both sides of the ball, the Tribe cashed in against Verlander and first place Detroit, winning 6-2 to take the first two games of the three-game series. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the win from the ballpark.

Just what the doctor ordered. For a team that has struggled virtually all season, there continues to be one Tribe player that has remained consistent, and so smooth. Knotted in a 4-4 tie in the tenth inning, Michael Brantley gave the Indians their biggest hit of the year. Leading the club in both homers and RBI, Dr. Smooth added to his total launching a walk-off home run off Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque to give the Tribe a 5-4 win Monday. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the victory from the ballpark.

All winter, the Indians pushed the slogan "Unfinished business," claiming to have more work to do after sneaking into the postseason last year. Yet on the brink of summer, the Tribe sits in the unfinished basement of the A.L. Central where the workload continues to mount quickly. Sunday afternoon proved no different, as Oakland slammed Cleveland 13-3 to sweep the three-game weekend series. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the action from the ballpark.

Scott Kazmir wasn't too happy in his return to Progressive Field, but his team sure loves it here. Scoring six runs on eight hits, Oakland pitching continued to get the best of a stymied Indians offense Saturday, as the Indians fell to the A's, 6-2. It wasn't just a poor offensive showing either, but a lack of defense that continues to leave manager Terry Francona and his ballclub in limbo. Join IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps another frustrating game at the ballpark.

In this week's edition of "Inside the Wigwam," IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim "The Birdman" Berdysz wonders if fans are starting to believe in the Indians again after a hot start to the month of May. He goes By the Numbers and gives the latest news and notes surrounding the big league club. John Axford out as closer? Don't miss Birdman's Final Call on Francona's tough decision to go to a closer by committee.

The Indians did something Wednesday they haven't accomplished since facing Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees almost 86 years ago. Tallying 15 runs on 22 hits, Cleveland blew past Toronto 15-4 to even up the three-game series in Canada at one game apiece. Six of the nine hitters in the Tribe lineup posted multi-hit games, including five-hit performances from David Murphy and Lonnie Chisenhall. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he gives his second thoughts on the offensive surge.

Things couldn't get any smoother for Tribe hitter Thursday afternoon. Behind another great starting pitching performance this time by ace Justin Masterson, Indians bats exploded for nine runs on 15 hits, topping Minnesota, 9-4. Notching their third straight victory, Cleveland (16-19) wins the four-game series with the Twins, now having won five of their last seven ballgames. Join IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the action from Progressive Field.

History is known to repeat itself. For Indians second baseman Mike Aviles, history did just that Wednesday night at Progressive Field. Knotted up in a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the ninth, Aviles lined a walk-off single to center field off Twins reliever Casey Fien to give the Tribe a 4-3 win over Minnesota. A much needed victory for Cleveland (15-19), having won two straight in the four-game series. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the first walk-off win of the season.

Josh Tomlin did something Tuesday he hasn't done in 670 days. Win a ballgame. Making his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery back in August of 2012, Tomlin led the Indians past Minnesota Tuesday night, 4-2. The win marked the first victory for the 29 year-old right-hander since July 5, 2012. Join IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the action from the ballpark.

Déjà vu? You can say that again. Deadlocked in a scoreless tie in the tenth inning, Tribe closer John Axford (0-3, 4.85 ERA) thrived in his role of the villain for the second straight game. Coming into the ballgame in a non-save situation Monday, Axford served up what would be the game-winning solo homer to Twins shortstop Eduardo Escobar, as Minnesota hung onto defeat the Indians, 1-0. Join Tribe IBI beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps a dismal night at the ballpark.

Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver once said, "The key to winning baseball games is pitching, defense and three-run homers." The Indians brought the starting pitching and defense, but it was the White Sox that would bring the final punch. A three-run homer off the bat of right fielder Dayan Vicideo in the ninth inning allowed Chicago to avoid the series sweep Sunday, defeating the Tribe, 4-3. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the action from the ballpark.

Everyone knows April showers bring May flowers, but for Terry Francona and the Indians, they can only hope a gloomy first month of the regular season will make for a new, brighter month ahead. There was reason to believe just that Friday night at Progressive Field. After dropping six straight on their most recent road trip, the Tribe found themselves back in the win column in the series opener with the Chicago White Sox. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps a 12-5 win from the ballpark.

In this week's Inside the Wigwam, "The Birdman" IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz wonders if Carlos Carrasco would benefit with a role change to the Tribe bullpen. He also shares some news and notes surrounding a struggling Cleveland team, and gives his "Final Call" on Carrasco and an ugly three-game sweep by the Giants this weekend.

It was a day for smiles in the Indians series finale with Kansas City Thursday afternoon. And yes, even for Corey Kluber (2-2, 3.90 ERA), who had himself a career day on the mound in his fifth start. Tossing his first big league complete game victory, the right-hander led the Tribe past the Royals, 5-1 to win the four-game series. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the win from the ballpark.

Solid starting pitching and clutch hitting made for a good recipe of success Wednesday night, as the Tribe took down Kansas City, 5-3. For the second straight game, the Royals offense would strike first on back-to-back home runs. But that wouldn't stop ace Justin Masterson from giving the Indians another quality start, as the offense behind Jason Kipnis came through late. Join IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps a win from the ballpark.